Rowing added to blind Olympics

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09/05/2007

The energy and dedication of United States adaptive team member Aerial Gilbert has seen indoor rowing added to the Junior Blind Olympics in Los Angeles, USA.

Gilbert, completely blind herself, took two indoor rowing machines to last year’s event and peaked the interest of the organisers. This year, armed with six indoor rowers and the help of former Olympic gold medallist Xeno Mueller, Gilbert helped attract over 200 blind and visually impaired youth to try rowing.

Junior Blind Olympics with Xeno Mueller and Aerial Gilbert and guide dog Hedda helping out, Los Angeles, USA, 2007

Xeno Mueller volunteering with Aerial Gilbert and Hedda the guide dog.

The initiative, hosted by the Junior Blind of America, targets United States west coast 7 – 19 year olds, the event encouraged participants to try a variety of sports including relays, archery, shot-put and now rowing. The events are designed in an Olympic style format and many of the participants are trying these sports for the first time. This is the third time it has been held.

For the indoor rowing section volunteer rowers from local rowing clubs showed each child how to row then coached them through the two minute event. It attracted the greatest number of participants of all ages and abilities.

“The kids were thrilled with the movement,” says Gilbert. “Kids were competing that weren't in very good shape, successful and having fun. I remember one mother of a blind child, who also had other disabilities, was amazed to see her son being successful, and having so much fun; usually he gets frustrated, or is unable to accomplish the event. We got a lot of feedback from the organisers of the event, saying they heard that rowing was the best event at the Junior Blind Olympics.”

Gilbert is hoping that the enthusiasm will continue with participants going back to their local gyms where rowing machines are available or to local rowing clubs.

There is also work being done to have rowing machines installed in the gyms of schools for the blind. Manufacturer Concept2 is helping with this programme. Gilbert is also working to have rowing machines available at the National Federation of the Blind conference in Atlanta, Georgia, in July. Over 2,500 adults, teenagers and children will attend from around the United States.

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